How do chigger bites differ from other insect bites. What are the most effective treatments for chigger bites. How can you prevent chigger bites while enjoying outdoor activities.

Understanding Chiggers: Tiny Mites with a Big Bite

Chiggers, often referred to as “berry bugs” or “red bugs,” are microscopic mites that inhabit large portions of the United States, including the South, Great Plains, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Despite their bright red color, these tiny creatures are barely visible to the naked eye, measuring about the size of a salt grain.

Dr. Lee Townsend, Professor Emeritus of Entomology at the University of Kentucky, explains, “Chiggers are a type of immature mite that spend time feeding on small mammals, and also on humans.” It’s important to note that while all chiggers are mites, not all mites are chiggers. Only certain species bite during their larval stage, earning the chigger designation.

How Chiggers Feed

Unlike mosquitoes and ticks, chiggers don’t feed on blood. Instead, they consume skin cells and tissue. Dr. Townsend elaborates, “Chiggers use their saliva to break down and digest the cells and tissues they devour.” This process can trigger a significant skin reaction, similar to that caused by mosquitoes or ticks.

Identifying Chigger Bites: Key Characteristics

Chigger bites can be challenging to distinguish from other insect bites, as reactions vary from person to person. However, certain characteristics can help identify chigger bites:

• Intense itching: Dr. Michael Merchant, Professor of Entomology at Texas A&M University, notes, “I don’t know of many things as intensely itchy as a chigger bite.”
• Clustered appearance: Chiggers often feed in groups, resulting in clusters of red welts rather than isolated bumps.
• Location: Chiggers prefer warm, moist areas such as sock lines, waistbands, armpits, and behind the knees.
• Bite pattern: Multiple bites in a specific area, like along a sock line, are indicative of chiggers.

Treating Chigger Bites: Relief and Recovery

While chigger bites can be uncomfortable, they typically resolve on their own within a week, often in just a few days. Dr. Townsend advises, “Once they’re done feeding, chiggers drop off on their own.” To alleviate symptoms and promote healing, consider the following treatments:

1. Hot shower: Thoroughly soap the affected area to remove any remaining chiggers.
2. Topical treatments: Apply calamine lotion or rubbing alcohol to reduce itching.
3. Cold compresses: Use to soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation.
4. Oral antihistamines: Over-the-counter options like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) can help manage itching.

When to Seek Medical Attention

In most cases, chigger bites don’t require medical intervention. However, watch for signs of secondary infection, such as:

• Worsening swelling or redness days after the initial bite
• Fever or flu-like symptoms
• Fluid leakage or yellow crusting around the bite
• Increased pain or the development of hives
• Nausea or vomiting

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare professional. They may prescribe topical steroids or, in severe cases, administer dilute steroid injections for intense itching.

Preventing Chigger Bites: Enjoying the Outdoors Safely

Chiggers thrive in shaded, overgrown areas with high humidity. Dr. Townsend explains, “They need shelter from the sun and they like high humidity, so they tend to like tall grasses and places where there are mice and small mammals around.” To minimize your risk of chigger bites while enjoying outdoor activities, consider these preventive measures:

• Stick to well-maintained paths and avoid tall grass or overgrown areas.
• Wear long pants tucked into socks and closed-toe shoes when hiking or walking in wooded areas.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET or permethrin to clothing and exposed skin.
• Take a hot shower and wash your clothes immediately after spending time in chigger-prone areas.
• Keep your lawn mowed and remove brush piles to reduce chigger habitats near your home.

Chiggers and Disease Transmission: Separating Fact from Fiction

A common concern regarding insect bites is the potential for disease transmission. In the case of chiggers, Dr. Townsend reassures, “Chiggers can transmit diseases in some other parts of the world, but not here.” This statement refers to chiggers found in the United States, where they do not pose a significant risk of disease transmission to humans.

However, it’s crucial to note that while chiggers themselves may not transmit diseases, their bites can lead to secondary infections if not properly cared for. Scratching the bites and breaking the skin can introduce bacteria, potentially causing complications.

Monitoring for Secondary Infections

To ensure proper healing and avoid complications, monitor your chigger bites for signs of infection. These may include:

• Increased redness or swelling around the bite area
• Warmth or tenderness when touching the affected skin
• Pus or other discharge from the bite
• Fever or chills
• Swollen lymph nodes near the bite area

If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. A healthcare professional can assess the situation and prescribe appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics if necessary.

The Science Behind Chigger Bites: Understanding the Itch

The intense itching associated with chigger bites is a result of your body’s immune response to the chigger’s feeding process. When a chigger attaches to your skin, it injects saliva containing digestive enzymes. These enzymes break down skin cells, creating a small, hardened feeding tube called a stylostome.

Dr. Merchant explains, “The stylostome acts as a straw through which the chigger feeds on the liquefied skin cells.” This process triggers an immune response, causing the characteristic red welt and intense itching sensation.

Debunking Common Chigger Myths

Several misconceptions surround chiggers and their bites. Let’s address some of the most common myths:

• Myth: Chiggers burrow under your skin.
  Reality: Chiggers remain on the surface of the skin while feeding.
• Myth: Chiggers can live on you for weeks.
  Reality: Chiggers typically feed for only a few days before dropping off.
• Myth: Applying nail polish to chigger bites will suffocate them.
  Reality: This is ineffective, as chiggers are usually gone by the time bites appear.
• Myth: Only children get chigger bites.
  Reality: People of all ages can be affected by chiggers.

Chiggers and Pets: Protecting Your Furry Friends

While our focus has been on human interactions with chiggers, it’s important to consider the impact these mites can have on our pets. Dogs and cats spending time outdoors in chigger-prone areas can also fall victim to these tiny pests.

Symptoms of Chigger Bites in Pets

Chigger bites on pets may manifest differently than on humans. Common signs include:

• Excessive scratching or biting at specific areas
• Redness or inflammation of the skin
• Small, red bumps, particularly on areas with less fur
• Changes in behavior, such as restlessness or irritability

If you suspect your pet has been bitten by chiggers, consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. They may recommend medicated shampoos, topical treatments, or oral medications to alleviate symptoms and prevent secondary infections.

Protecting Pets from Chiggers

To reduce the risk of chigger bites in your pets, consider these preventive measures:

1. Limit access to overgrown areas in your yard
2. Apply pet-safe insect repellents before outdoor activities
3. Regularly groom and inspect your pet after outdoor excursions
4. Maintain a well-trimmed lawn and remove brush piles near your home
5. Consider using preventive medications recommended by your veterinarian

Environmental Impact and Control of Chigger Populations

While chiggers can be a nuisance, it’s essential to consider their role in the ecosystem and approach population control responsibly. Chiggers serve as a food source for various predators and play a part in nutrient cycling within their habitats.

Eco-Friendly Chigger Control Methods

To manage chigger populations around your property without causing undue harm to the environment, consider these approaches:

• Habitat modification: Reduce favorable conditions for chiggers by keeping grass short and removing leaf litter.
• Natural predators: Encourage the presence of chigger predators like birds and certain insects.
• Diatomaceous earth: Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth to affected areas as a natural deterrent.
• Neem oil: Use neem oil solutions as an organic pesticide to repel chiggers.
• Sulfur dust: Apply sulfur dust to lawns and gardens to create an inhospitable environment for chiggers.

When considering chemical control methods, always opt for products specifically designed for mite control and follow manufacturer instructions carefully to minimize environmental impact.

Chiggers in a Changing Climate: Future Implications

As global temperatures rise and weather patterns shift due to climate change, the distribution and behavior of chiggers may also evolve. Research suggests that warming temperatures could lead to expanded ranges for certain chigger species, potentially exposing new populations to these biting mites.

Potential Climate Change Effects on Chiggers

• Range expansion: Chiggers may move into previously inhospitable areas as temperatures warm.
• Extended active seasons: Warmer temperatures could lead to longer periods of chigger activity throughout the year.
• Increased reproduction rates: Higher temperatures may accelerate chigger life cycles, leading to larger populations.
• Habitat changes: Shifting precipitation patterns could alter vegetation, affecting chigger habitats.

As our climate continues to change, it will be crucial to monitor chigger populations and adapt prevention and control strategies accordingly. Staying informed about local chigger activity and maintaining vigilance in personal protection measures will be key to minimizing encounters with these persistent pests.

In conclusion, while chiggers can be a bothersome aspect of outdoor activities, understanding their behavior, habitats, and the proper methods for prevention and treatment can greatly reduce their impact on our enjoyment of nature. By taking proactive measures and staying informed, we can coexist with these tiny mites while minimizing their effect on our outdoor experiences.

How to Know When It’s a Chigger Bite

Sometimes called “berry bugs” or “red bugs,” chiggers populate large sections of the United States — including all of the South, the Great Plains, and the Mid-Atlantic. Though they’re often bright red in color, chiggers are only about the size of a grain of salt — making them almost impossible to spot either in the wild or on a person’s skin.

“Chiggers are a type of immature mite that spend time feeding on small mammals, and also on humans,” says Lee Townsend, PhD, a professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Dr. Townsend says that there are many different species of mites, but only a few types that bite during their larval stage. It’s these that are referred to as chiggers. “Not all mites are chiggers, but all chiggers are mites,” he adds.

Unlike mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting bugs, chiggers don’t attach themselves to mammals in order to suck blood. Instead, chiggers feast on skin cells and tissue, Townsend explains. But much like mosquitoes and ticks, chiggers can induce a nasty skin reaction. That reaction, he says, comes from the chigger’s saliva, which they use to break down and digest the cells and tissues they devour.

RELATED: 7 Skin Conditions That Look Contagious, but Aren’t

Chigger Bites Look a Lot Like Other Bug Bites, So Here’s How to Correctly ID Them

As with all bug bites, there’s some person-to-person variation when it comes to chigger bites.

“Different people react differently to bites, so it can be really difficult to tell the difference between bites of things like mosquitoes from chiggers,” Townsend says. Especially if you’re bitten by a lone chigger, the red welt that forms may look more or less identical to a mosquito bite.

But there are bite characteristics that can show up that can help differentiate chiggers from other bugs. For one thing, chigger bites tend to take itchiness to a whole new level. “I don’t know of many things as intensely itchy as a chigger bite,” says Michael Merchant, PhD, a professor of entomology at Texas A&M University in Dallas.

Also, chiggers tend to latch onto a person’s skin in groups. You won’t be able to see them without the aid of a magnifying glass. But you may feel some irritation when they first start feeding. And the resulting bites often appear as clusters of red welts — as opposed to a single itchy lump or a red rash. (1) If you have a swath of itchy skin lumps that looks like many mosquito bites or welts, it’s a good bet you’re dealing with chiggers. (2)

Another characteristic of these bites: chiggers like to gather in areas that are hot and sweaty — like the insides of socks, at waistlines, inside armpits, or behind the knees, Dr. Merchant says. “If you see a pattern of bites only where your sock was, that’s probably chiggers,” he adds.

What Can I Do to Treat Chigger Bites and Relieve the Itching?

While itchy and uncomfortable — not to mention unsightly — chigger bites tend to resolve on their own within a week — and often within a few days. (3) “Once they’re done feeding, [chiggers] drop off on their own,” Townsend says. He recommends taking a hot shower and soaping the area thoroughly. (This can remove chiggers before they’ve had the chance to cause welts and irritation, he says.) Applying topical calamine cream can also help reduce the itch, he adds. So can cold compresses, oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), and rubbing alcohol. (4)

RELATED: What Is an Antihistamine?

Do you need to see a doctor? In most cases, no. “Chiggers can transmit diseases in some other parts of the world, but not here,” Townsend says of domestic chiggers.

That said, chigger bites can put a person at risk for a secondary infection. That could happen if you scratch the bite (or bites) and break open the skin, allowing in bacteria, Merchant says.

If the swelling or redness around a bite is getting worse several days after it first appeared, or if you notice a fever or other flu-like symptoms, those may be signs of an infection. The same is true if the bite is leaking fluid, has developed a yellow, golden crust, or has become painful, or if you’re experiencing hives, vomiting, or nausea — see a doctor. (5)

Doctors can prescribe prescription topical steroids or even inject dilute steroids into intensely itchy bites if you don’t experience relief from over-the-counter options.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Bug Bites and Disease

Yes, You Can Avoid Getting Chigger Bites and Still Enjoy the Outdoors

Chiggers usually live in shaded or overgrown areas like forests and wild fields, Townsend says. “They need shelter from the sun and they like high humidity, so they tend to like tall grasses and places where there are mice and small mammals around,” he says. “You’re not going to run into many of them out in mowed or landscaped areas.”

For that reason, keeping yards or outdoor areas well-tended and free of overgrowth and brush are effective ways to keep chigger populations to a minimum. Staying on walking paths — as opposed to making your way through tall grass or wilder areas — is another way to avoid picking up chiggers. (6)

If you’re going to be tramping through woods or picking fruit in a field, those are times when you’ll want to take extra precautions to guard yourself against chiggers. Townsend recommends wearing long pants and tucking them into your socks. “Repellents also help,” he says, mentioning common types like DEET, which is also used to repel mosquitoes and ticks. Be sure to use those repellents on your shoes and lower legs — places chiggers tend to latch on.

And again, taking a hot, soapy shower after you’ve been in chigger-infested areas can help remove them before they cause skin irritation, Townsend says.

Chiggers are a nuisance — and their bites can be incredibly itchy. But if you can resist scratching those bites, they don’t cause any long-term issues or health complications.

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Common Spider Bite Symptoms: Household, Wolf Spider

While some spider bites cause only redness and itching, others are more dangerous. Here’s how to identify spiders that bite — and what to do if you get bitten.

Medically Reviewed

There are more than 50,000 types of spiders in the world. All spiders have eight legs, no wings, and only two body parts: a thorax and an abdomen. They also all have fangs and enough venom to kill the insects that make up their diet. But only a handful of spiders have fangs and venom that can penetrate human skin — including the brown recluse spider, hobo spider, camel spider, wolf spider, black widow spider, and banana spider. Most spiders are harmless and will bite only if they feel threatened. But depending on the spider and its victim, spider bites can cause anything from mild itching and redness to a reaction that becomes a medical emergency. Here’s detailed info on some common spiders and their bites.

The Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse spider gets its name from its habit of living in dark corners inside or outside homes, such as in woodpiles, closets, attics, and basements. This spider is more common in areas that have warm and dry climates, like the south and central areas of the United States. The brown recluse is about a half-inch to an inch long, is light brown in color, and has a violin-shaped mark on its back. The distinctive mark gives the spider these other nicknames: the violin spider or fiddleback spider.

The Brown Recluse Spider Bite

The brown recluse spider’s venom may cause burning pain and itching within several hours after a bite. The actual bite may cause a stinging sensation or not be felt at all. The bite has the appearance of a bull’s-eye, with a central blister that scabs and falls off, leaving a small ulcer. Possible symptoms include body aches and fever. Children may be at risk for an allergic reaction to the venom. To treat a brown recluse spider bite, immediately wash it and apply an ice pack. You can also use an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. In most cases, symptoms resolve within 48 hours, but the central ulcer may take weeks to heal.

The Black Widow Spider

The black widow spider is about the same size as the brown recluse spider (a half-inch to an inch long) and also likes dark places. This spider is usually found outside in sheds, barns, or woodpiles. The black widow can be identified by her shiny black color and a red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of her abdomen. Only the bite of the female spider is dangerous. Black widows can be found throughout the United States but are most common in warmer and drier areas.

The Black Widow Spider Bite

The victim of a black widow spider’s bite usually feels it right away, and there may be fang marks and swelling. If you are bitten, you should clean and ice the bite. If the spider has injected venom, you may experience muscle aches and cramps that spread from the bite area to the rest of the body. Possible symptoms include nausea, difficulty breathing, and weakness. If someone bitten by a black widow spider experiences muscle cramps, emergency medical care may include blood pressure medication, muscle relaxants, and, in rare cases, antivenin — a biologic product created to counteract the effects of a spider’s venom. Serious reactions are rare, but are most common in children or very elderly people.

The Hobo Spider

The hobo spider is not native to the United States. It arrived in the northwest from Europe and is now common in California, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The spider is about one-half inch long and has long legs that allow it to move quickly on the ground. Its upper body is brown and its abdomen is grayish with yellow markings. The hobo likes to live in cracks or holes both inside and outside.

The Hobo Spider Bite

The hobo bite resembles the brown recluse bite, with a central blister that scabs and ulcerates, surrounded by a ring of swollen discoloration. Within an hour after the bite, the hobo spider’s venom can cause a numbing sensation and muscle or joint aches. After about three days, a black scab falls off, leaving an open, slow-healing type of wound.

The Wolf Spider

The wolf spider is common all over the United States. It doesn’t weave webs, and it gets its name from its habit of stalking prey like a wolf. The wolf spider is brown or gray in color and can be 3 to 4 inches across. Because some wolf spiders are large and hairy, they are sometimes mistaken for tarantulas. The female may be identified by a white egg sac that she carries with her. This spider prefers to live outdoors on the ground in loose sand or gravel, but it may wander indoors and be spotted running across the floor.

The Wolf Spider Bite

The wolf spider’s bite can cause pain, redness, and swelling. Its large fangs may tear the skin, which can become infected and cause lymph nodes to swell. Treatment of a wolf spider bite includes cleansing and icing. Swelling and pain can last up to 10 days, but medical attention is usually not necessary unless the victim is a small child or someone who is sick or elderly.

The Camel Spider

Camel spiders are sometimes called wind scorpions or sun spiders, but in reality, they are neither scorpions nor spiders. They belong to a group of desert creatures called solpugids, and they have elongated bodies that make them look more like scorpions than spiders. The name, derived from Latin, means “escape from the sun.” In the United States, camel spiders can be found in the deserts of the southwest. They are light brown in color, can be up to 5 inches long, and can run at about 10 miles per hour — often making a screaming sound while doing so.

The Camel Spider Bite

During the Iraq war, soldiers described huge camel spiders that seemed to run at them in a screaming attack mode. In reality these creatures, though scary in appearance, are not dangerous to humans, and if they run at someone, they are probably just seeking shade in the person’s shadow. They do not have any venom and do not bite except in self-defense. A bite is very unlikely and would not be dangerous to a person if it did happen.

The Banana Spider

The banana spider is found in warm regions of the United States from North Carolina through the Gulf states. It lives in woodlands and forests and produces large, intricate orb webs that glow golden in the sun. The female has a long shape that resembles a banana. She can be about three inches long and has yellow spots on her tan cylindrical body and brown and orange tufts on her legs. The male banana spider is an inconspicuous dark brown and less than an inch long.

The Banana Spider Bite

The banana spider is often confused with the Brazilian wandering spider, which is found among bananas shipped to the United States from South America; neither spider is native to North America. Although the Brazilian spider bite can be dangerous, the banana spider bite is not. Banana spiders will bite only if held or pinched. The bite produces mild stinging and redness (similar to a bee sting) that quickly goes away.

articles from the specialists of the clinic “Mother and Child”

Vergazova Asya Nikolaevna

Rheumatologist, Endocrinologist

Clinical Hospital “AVICENNA” GC “Mother and Child”

Mosquitoes, midges

Mosquitoes and midges are not poisonous, but when they bite, an anticoagulant gets under the human skin (a substance that prevents blood from clotting). Therefore, the bite site is very itchy.

At the site of a mosquito bite, redness and a small itchy blister appear, the bite itself is not painful. But the bite of the midge is generally not immediately felt. Itching, burning appear the next day, and they are much stronger than with a mosquito bite, plus the midge bite site is very red and swollen.

What to do: To relieve itching, apply something cold (ice). You can also make a compress with a solution of soda (half a teaspoon per glass of water). The bite can be lubricated with an antihistamine cream (gel, ointment) or special Post-Bite Balm .

Important: care must be taken that the child does not comb the bites, otherwise the wound may become infected. The bite of the midge heals for a long time.

Horsefly

Horsefly is a large fly that loves damp places and sunshine. The bite of this insect is very painful.

A large blister immediately appears at the site of the bite of , which is very itchy.

What to do: Wash the bite with soap and water or treat with an antiseptic. To relieve itching and swelling, you need to apply cold, the same soda compress, antihistamine cream (gel, ointment) will help.

Important: horseflies are completely harmless in the shade and attack only on sunny lawns, closer to water bodies. If the bite is combed, then it will heal for a long time.

Bees, wasps, bumblebees

Bees, wasps, bumblebees, hornets (huge wasps) – these insects do not just bite, they sting and with the help of the sting introduce a strong protein poison into the human body. When bitten, bees leave a sting in the wound, so they bite once, but the rest of the stingers can attack again.

Burning pain, redness, swelling and itching of the skin appear at the site of the bite , the area around the wound becomes hot, if a bee has bitten, then a sting is visible. Sometimes, due to poison, intoxication or severe allergies can occur: the child has a headache, he is weak and lethargic, he is sick or even vomits, he has impaired coordination, his body temperature rises, rarely, but there is also loss of consciousness. The same reaction happens if several insects have stung at once.

What to do: remove the stinger if there is one (it is better to do this with tweezers). Wash the wound with soap or treat with hydrogen peroxide. Apply cold. You can lubricate the sore spot with antihistamine cream (ointment, gel) . If there is swelling and severe redness on the skin, give the child an antihistamine by mouth. After a bite, you need to watch the baby for about half an hour. In case of complications, a doctor should be called.

Important: if there are several bites, if they are in the mouth, face, neck, then it is better to go to the hospital or call a doctor: swelling spreads very strongly in these places.

Tick

Tick digs into the skin and secretes a large amount of saliva into the wound, along with it pathogens of various infections can enter the human body, the most common: encephalitis and borreliosis (Lyme disease). By itself, the tick bite is not felt in any way

A black dot of various sizes is visible at the site of the bite – this is the tick itself. There is no swelling or itching.

What to do : remove the tick. It is better to do this in an emergency room or hospital, because if there is no skill, then it is easy to tear off the body of the tick, and its head and proboscis will remain in the skin. But if the doctors are far away, then you can try to unscrew the insect with tweezers, like a screw (you can’t pull, just twist it). It is useless to drip oil on a tick and wait for it to fall off on its own. It is advisable to take the removed tick for analysis to find out if it is a carrier of the infection.

Repellents

• These substances protect against bites, but it must be understood that poisons that are dangerous for insects are also dangerous for humans. It is necessary to use repellent only if there are really a lot of insects or their bite causes a strong reaction in the child.
• It is necessary to apply only a baby product with a low concentration of the active substance (up to 10%). The repellent must not contain diethyltoluamide ( DEET ). It is toxic, so in children under 6 years old it is not even used for clothing.
• Do not spray on the face – only cream, ointment or gel. Do not treat areas with scratches, wounds, inflammation, lips and eyelids with repellent. It makes no sense to treat skin areas hidden by clothing.
• After the walk, change clothes, take a shower and wash off the remains of the substance from the child.
• If there is an allergy, then it is better not to use the repellent at all.

How to prevent a bite

Preventing an insect bite is easier than treating it later:

• Cover sweet fruits and desserts, otherwise they will attract a lot of insects. Before you give your child juice from a cup or a piece of watermelon, you need to see if a wasp or a bee is hiding there. And after eating, it is worth wiping the baby’s lips with a wet napkin.
• Bright and colorful dresses strongly attract insects. They also love floral scents. So in nature it is better to dress discreetly and not eat sweet food.
• It is better for a child not to walk barefoot on grass or sand – there may be a bee or a wasp sitting there.
• When walking in a forest or meadow (a place that is very fond of ticks), you need to wear clothes with closed sleeves, trousers with cuffs at the bottom (or tuck them into shoes). Put on a cap or panama on your head. Every hour it is worth carefully examining the clothes and body of the child.

Insects like to bite especially children, because their skin is thin, and blood circulation is very active.

A child can get a wasp or bee sting by inadvertently stepping on an insect with a bare foot, or if the child eats some sweet fruit that the insect has suddenly landed on.

All bloodsuckers look for prey, primarily by body temperature. To “hot” people they fly up faster. Insects are also attracted by the special smell of sweat.

Be careful when using smoking coils – the baby should not inhale their fumes, they can be toxic. The same applies to electrofumigators (with plates or liquid). They can only be used indoors with open windows.

If you live or often walk in an area where a baby can be bitten, always carry an antihistamine with you. It may be urgently needed if the child develops a severe allergy after a bite.

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safety measures and help in case of bites

Mosquitoes, midges, horseflies appear on the street along with heat . .. Parents with small children need to be extremely careful when walking in nature. In children, insect bites can fester, because the child does not control himself, and can comb the wound with dirty fingers. Don’t forget about allergies!

So, who can bite us: what are the security measures and what to do if, nevertheless, they “bite”.

How to recognize who has bitten you?

Not all insects bite us, but many do. Sometimes you don’t understand who exactly bitten. And this can be important and fundamental! Let’s figure it out.

Moshka

Where and when. Favorite places – near fast rivers, where their larvae develop. They bite, as a rule, on hot sunny days.

Bite. We often do not feel the moment of a bite – the midge simultaneously injects “freeze” saliva.

How does it manifest itself? After a few minutes there is a burning sensation, severe itching and a large red swelling (sometimes the size of a palm).

Why is it dangerous? The saliva of midges is poisonous. The swelling subsides after a few days, but the unbearable itching can bother you for several weeks. Children usually scratch the bite sites for blood, before the sores appear. Multiple bites sometimes lead to fever and signs of general poisoning. Those who are allergic to insect bites should be especially careful.

What to do? Wipe skin with ammonia, then apply ice. You can take an antihistamine.

Midge bite protection. Treat skin with repellent.

Mosquito

Where and when? Mosquitoes are especially numerous near ponds with stagnant water. They atrocity around the clock from late May to September, especially at night and before rain.

Bite. You may not feel it.

How does it manifest itself? White itchy blister with redness around.

Why is it dangerous? In general, a mosquito is far from a harmless creature. There are mosquitoes, carriers of malaria and some viral infections. Plus, bites are allergic.

What to do? Itching relieves lotion from a soda solution.

Mosquito bite protection. Treat all exposed areas of the body with a repellant, which is better to buy at a pharmacy. For children, special products are sold: be sure to look at the age restrictions!

Wasp or bee

Where and when. All summer during daylight hours in glades, meadows, in the garden.

Bite . Sharp pain and burning, the left sting (black) is visible in the wound. Insect venom causes severe swelling in the bite area. The sore spot turns red and becomes hot

Why is it dangerous? Allergic reaction, especially if bitten to the head, can be life threatening! If a small child is bitten, in any case, it must be shown to the doctor, an ambulance should be called.

What to do? Remove the sting with tweezers, wash the wound with alcohol. Take an antihistamine, apply ice in a towel to the bite.

What attracts them? Everything sweet, bouquets of flowers, perfumes with a floral scent, clothing in neon colors.

Insect bite protection. Do not leave sweets, fruits on the table, wipe your mouth after eating with a damp cloth, do not walk barefoot in clover fields.

Tick

Bite. Insensitive, the mite anesthetizes the wound with saliva and sticks to the skin.

How does it manifest itself? Redness appears around the bite, the wound does not itch.

Why is it dangerous? Ticks carry deadly diseases – borreliosis or Lyme disease and encephalitis.

What to do? It is best to immediately go to the nearest emergency room – they will remove the tick and tell you the procedure. If this is not possible, you can try to carefully remove the tick with tweezers (so that the head does not remain in the skin). Treat the wound with alcohol. And – still running to the doctor! Together with the tick (in a jar), it will also need to be passed to the doctors for analysis. If your area is endemic for encephalitis (that is, there have been cases of detection of this disease in ticks), then an injection of immunoglobulin is necessary. Prevention of infection with borreliosis – taking antibiotics, strictly according to the doctor’s prescription.

Security measures. Tightly close the body: a stand-up collar, cuffs on trousers and sleeves will protect the body, a cap or scarf – the head. Examine the skin after each foray into the forest. Treat clothes (not skin!) with special tick repellents – again, attention to age restrictions.

Important ! Before the start of the season, vaccinate against tick-borne encephalitis – this is the most reliable protection against a dangerous infection.

Ant

Where and when. From spring to autumn in forests and parks.

Bite . The ant does not bite, but shoots with a stream of poisonous formic acid. The victim feels a burning pain, the affected area turns red, a tiny blister may appear – a trace of a burn. Possible dermatitis, allergic reactions.

Why is it dangerous? Nothing – if you were “bitten” by one ant. If it’s too much, it’s best to see a doctor.

What to do? Neutralize the acid with a solution of soda, if it is not at hand, simply moisten with saliva. Ice can be applied at home.

Insect bite protection. Keep away from anthills with children, repellents do not work on ants.

• Ice may be applied to the bite site. It acts as a “local anesthetic”, relieves swelling.
• If there is no wound, smear the bite with iodine and brilliant green.
• You can apply a cotton pad moistened with calendula tincture to the wound. The tincture acts as an antiseptic and can relieve inflammation.
• If a midge has bitten or the victim has a tendency to allergies, you can take an antihistamine inside: tablet, drops, syrup.
• Anti-itch cream or gel.

• Tea tree oil is considered a good remedy for mosquito and midge bites. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties, fights swelling and itching.

When should I see a doctor?

• If a wasp, a bee or a bumblebee has bitten a small child, in any case, he should be shown to a doctor, call an ambulance.
• If a person has a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite, an ambulance must be called.
• If there are more than 10 bites on the body.
• If the lymph nodes are enlarged after the bite.
• If bitten by a tick, contact with the tick itself. It must be taken to the laboratory and checked for infections.
• If, after being bitten, an adult or a child has a sharp rise in temperature, severe poor health, nausea, vomiting.
• If a tumor has developed at the site of the bite and does not subside.
• If pus appears at the site of the bite.

Popular Questions and Answers

We discussed with pediatrician Ekaterina Morozova the danger of insect bites, reasons to see a doctor and possible complications.

Which doctor should I contact for an insect bite?

The tactics of action depends on the type of insect that caused the bite. As a rule, with the bite of stinging insects (bee, wasp, bumblebee, hornet), with the development of anaphylactic shock, you must immediately call an ambulance. If there are no allergic reactions, then treatment can be carried out under the supervision of a therapist or pediatrician, while giving the person first aid: pull out the sting, apply cold to the damaged area and then, removing the cold compress, apply antihistamine ointment.

If the swelling is large, it will not be superfluous to take an antihistamine by mouth, according to the instructions.

A tick bite requires an appointment with a traumatologist, if, according to the results of the tick examination, the laboratory detects an infection, for example, borreliosis, the patient is sent for treatment to a neurologist or infectious disease specialist.

An infectious disease specialist will treat a patient who has been bitten by cross spiders. This patient specialist should be contacted for tropical insect bites (sand fleas, mosquitoes, tropical mosquitoes) received as a result of trips to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Africa, Vietnam and other hot countries.

Common mosquito bites are most often self-limiting with zinc-based antipruritic ointments.

Are any diseases transmitted by insect bites?

Unfortunately, yes. Tick ​​bites transmit Lyme disease and encephalitis. Steppe mosquitoes, which, as a rule, live in Asian countries, the former Soviet republics, carry tularemia, a dangerous infectious disease. Tropical insects, including sand fleas, through a bite, can lay eggs in the upper layer of human skin, the larvae of which then form passages in human skin. A tropical mosquito bite can cause dengue fever.

How to avoid insect bites?

Repellents and appropriate clothing and footwear will help protect yourself and loved ones from dangerous insects.

If a person plans to travel to a tropical country, it is necessary to buy a repellent in advance, and on the territory of an exotic country to move in closed clothes and closed shoes with rubber soles, even on a sandy beach.

If a person is planning to go outdoors, especially in the period from mid-spring to June (the peak of tick activity), it is necessary to have high shoes, a hat or scarf that cover the maximum part of the head, clothes that almost completely cover the body. After returning from the forest, all clothes will need to be shaken out and checked for intruders. As a rule, first of all, ticks are picked up on animals and children who have a shorter stature. In any case, during any trip to nature, a person must use repellents.

How to anoint an insect with vinegar?

When bitten by a mosquito, the wound should be lubricated with zinc-based antipruritic ointment.